1 killed, 2 hurt in Manatee high-speed crash

Bradenton

Published: Thursday, December 13, 2012 at 7:21 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, December 13, 2012 at 1:39 p.m.

MANATEE COUNTY - A high-speed car accident early Thursday killed a 20-year-old Bradenton man and critically injured his two passengers.

Darian T. Everett was killed when he lost control of the car he was driving, causing the vehicle to slam into a utility pole, a parked car and then overturn into a yard, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Two passengers in the the car were critically injured: Mitchell Shreves, 19, also of Bradenton, and Stephanie Lanham, 20, of Palmetto. They were taken to Blake Medical Center, troopers reported.

Everett and Lanham graduated from Bayshore High School in 2011; Shreves graduated from Manatee High School the same year.

Margi Nanney, the spokeswoman for Manatee County schools, said counselors would be available today for grieving students or staff.

“We’re always available to talk to anyone, it could be the staff,” Nanney said. “Whenever we lose any students it affects all of us.”

The crash occurred around 2:45 a.m., with Everett driving north on 34th Street West in a 1972 Chevrolet Nova at a “high rate of speed,” according to reports. For unknown reasons, he lost control in the 4900 block of 34th Street.

The car spun into a utility pole and then crashed into a car parked in a driveway, before flipping and coming to rest on its roof in a yard in the 3800 block of 34th Street West. The block consists of small duplexes, including many rentals and some needing repairs.

Electrical crews were busy Thursday replacing a wooden utility pole that was sheared off when Everett’s car crashed into it.

One of the electrical workers, who had been there for hours, noted that the force of the collision tore the motor from Everett's vintage Nova.

Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Chris Miller said the exact speed of the car is under investigation, but that “it was obvious to the investigators that high speed was a factor.” He also said it is unknown if the accident was alcohol related.

Scott Blacketer, 26, of Sarasota was also there late Thursday morning to look at the scene of the crash.

He said he has known Everett for years. Everett was the best friend of Blacketer’s brother.

“He always drove his car fast,” Blacketer said. “He had a few beers last night but he wasn’t drunk.”

Blacketer said Everett was “a great guy, down to earth.”

“There was a lot of life in him,” he said.

Family members of Everett, Lanham and Shreves could not be reached Thursday.

Everett played football for Bayshore High as a wide receiver, while Shreves excelled in baseball at Manatee High.

In a 2011 profile of Shreves’ high school baseball career, Manatee High baseball coach Dwayne Strong told the Herald-Tribune that Shreves “goes out and he maximizes his ability.” As a senior, Shreves was a bit undersized at 5-foot-9, but he worked hard and became one of the Hurricanes’ best players.

<p><em>MANATEE COUNTY</em> - A high-speed car accident early Thursday killed a 20-year-old Bradenton man and critically injured his two passengers. </p><p>Darian T. Everett was killed when he lost control of the car he was driving, causing the vehicle to slam into a utility pole, a parked car and then overturn into a yard, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.</p><p>Two passengers in the the car were critically injured: Mitchell Shreves, 19, also of Bradenton, and Stephanie Lanham, 20, of Palmetto. They were taken to Blake Medical Center, troopers reported.</p><p>Neither Everett nor his passengers were wearing a seat belt, troopers reported.</p><p>Everett and Lanham graduated from Bayshore High School in 2011; Shreves graduated from Manatee High School the same year.</p><p>Margi Nanney, the spokeswoman for Manatee County schools, said counselors would be available today for grieving students or staff. </p><p>“We're always available to talk to anyone, it could be the staff,” Nanney said. “Whenever we lose any students it affects all of us.”</p><p>The crash occurred around 2:45 a.m., with Everett driving north on 34th Street West in a 1972 Chevrolet Nova at a “high rate of speed,” according to reports. For unknown reasons, he lost control in the 4900 block of 34th Street.</p><p>The car spun into a utility pole and then crashed into a car parked in a driveway, before flipping and coming to rest on its roof in a yard in the 3800 block of 34th Street West. The block consists of small duplexes, including many rentals and some needing repairs.</p><p>Electrical crews were busy Thursday replacing a wooden utility pole that was sheared off when Everett's car crashed into it.</p><p>One of the electrical workers, who had been there for hours, noted that the force of the collision tore the motor from Everett's vintage Nova. </p><p>Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Chris Miller said the exact speed of the car is under investigation, but that “it was obvious to the investigators that high speed was a factor.” He also said it is unknown if the accident was alcohol related. </p><p>Scott Blacketer, 26, of Sarasota was also there late Thursday morning to look at the scene of the crash.</p><p>He said he has known Everett for years. Everett was the best friend of Blacketer's brother.</p><p>“He always drove his car fast,” Blacketer said. “He had a few beers last night but he wasn't drunk.” </p><p>Blacketer said Everett was “a great guy, down to earth.”</p><p>“There was a lot of life in him,” he said.</p><p>Family members of Everett, Lanham and Shreves could not be reached Thursday.</p><p>Everett played football for Bayshore High as a wide receiver, while Shreves excelled in baseball at Manatee High.</p><p>In a 2011 profile of Shreves' high school baseball career, Manatee High baseball coach Dwayne Strong told the Herald-Tribune that Shreves “goes out and he maximizes his ability.” As a senior, Shreves was a bit undersized at 5-foot-9, but he worked hard and became one of the Hurricanes' best players.</p>